Mexican Police Kill Four Suspected Cartel Members In Area Where Five Officers Died After Explosive-Laden 'Ambush'

Mexican police officers killed four suspected cartel members in the same area in which, just days ago, five officers died following an "ambush."

The episode unfolded in the state of Chiapas, which borders with Guatemala, and began after local officers were attacked while on patrol. "Authorities repelled the fire and managed to escape to kill four suspected members of organized crime," said a statement from the Frontera Comalapa municipality, as reported by CBS News.

An agency official also told AFP agency that the slain members were part of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). Four trucks, rifles and weapons were seized following the episode. One of the trucks was filled with bullet holes.

Local law enforcement had deployed over 1,000 officers to "attend to the situation and guarantee security in the area" following the explosion that killed five officers last week. Authorities also announced in a Facebook post they had arrested a man in connection with the killings. Jorge "N" was hiding in the bushes about a kilometer from the area. he was holding an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, as well as a backpack with military-style uniforms.

It was the second attack involving explosives in a matter of days. In late May, six special forces agents were killed and two more were seriously injured after a homemade explosive device was set off while they were conducting an operation in the state of Michoacan.

The episode took place while the troops were conducting a patrol in the municipality of Los Reyes. The state of Michoacan is considered to be a stronghold of the Jalisco Cartel. Infobae reported that the criminal group has recruited former Colombian soldiers to plant explosive devices in the area.

Criminal activity in Mexico cost the country close to $250 billion last year, a figure equivalent to around 18% of its GDP, according to a new study.

The report, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, specified that the cost amounted to $245 billion. It added that even though its index saw a moderate improvement in peace (0.7%), a surge in military spending (39%) increased the costs associated with violence.

The main factor driving the costs was the homicide rate, which clocked in at 19.3 per 100,000 people, a slight decrease compared to the year prior. Disappearances, however, increased sharply. There were over 13,000 people reported missing last year, a 36% increase compared to 2024.